Printing press sheet delivery mechanism



Aug. 2, 1938. J. A. SINCLAIR PRINTING PRESS SHEET DELIVERY MECHANISMFiled lay 6, l936 8 Shasta-Sheet 1 IN VENTOI? ATTO NEY .Aug. 2, 1938. Jsmc 2,125,467

PRINTING PRESS SHEET DELIVERY MECHANISM Filed May 6, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet2 ATT RNEY NVENTOR.'

Aug. 2, 1938. J. A. SINCLAIR PRINTING PRESS SHEET DELIVERY MECHANISMFiled lay 6, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed lay 6, 1936 B Sheets-Shoat 4 IVI/ENTOR.

ATTOR EY J. A. SINCLAIR 2,125,467

PRINTING PRESS SHEET DELIVERY MECHANISM 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Aug. 2, 1938.

Filed May 6, 1936 IN VENTOR/ ATTONEY 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 1O, R MW new Aug.2, 1938. J. A. SINCLAIR PRINTING PRESS SHEET DELIVERY MECHANISM FiledMay 6, 1936 Aug. 2, 1938. J. A. SINCLAIR PRINTING PRESS SHEET DELIVERYMECHANISM Filed May 6, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR.

Aug. 2, 1938. J. A. SINCLAIR PRINTING PRESS SHEET DELIVERY MECHANISMFiled May 6, 19258 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 IN VENTOR %W% AT T RNES m 3 m. M w WW/ m m 1 m.

um'rso s'rA rss PATENT OFFICE alum rnm'rnvo rnsss sm'r nmvny meannessJamesLsinelalnBolllmfordNJl-usdgmto ill-Kidder Press 00., Inc., Dover,N. IL,

ol'Delawase Application lay a. 1m, Serial No. rain 1. Gains. (01.271-68) This invention relates to printing and more particularly toimprovements in the sheet delivery mechanism whereby the larger sizedsheets, say 50" x 60" and 60" :80". may be delivered without slowingdown the high printing speed heretofore found to be available for thesmaller sheets, say up to size 88":52". The

- range of the sheet delivery mechanism of the present invention willembrace sheets from 24" x 36" up to 80" x 8 Due to the materiallyincreased area of the larger sized sheets it takes longer for the escapeoi air that is entrapped as the sheet is settling on the pile in thereceiving pocket. Hence, with a single sheet feed and delivery press asthe size of the sheet was increased above a known standard aproportional slowing of the printing speed became necessary. With a twosheet feed and delivery press increased and sufficient time ior a sheetto settle on the pile without decrease in printing speed may be had bydelivering alternate sheets to different receiving pockets, that is, aseach pair of sheets advance from the impression cylinder to the sheetdelivery mechanism they are simultaneously deposited each in one of tworeceiving pockets. Thus a rapid delivery is'maintalned while each sheetwill have the time ordinarily required for delivering two sheets tosettle on the pile and to dry. Such delivery mechanism associated with atwo sheet feed and delivery press and embodying the use of tail-gripperswhich provide for drawing the sheet from the advancing delivery chain,is disclosed in the Burt F. Upham United States Patent No. 1,125,218 ofJanuary 19, 1915.

Uphams solution of the problem did not go far enough because it islimited in its application to a two sheet feed and delivery press. Thecommon type of rotary press for publishers using the larger sizedprinting plates, for example for printing Harper's Bazaar where 64 pagesare printed on a single 60" x8 sheet, has a single sheet feed anddelivery to which Upham's invention for simultaneously delivering twosheets is not applicable.

One substantial advantage accruing to the publisher from printing on asingle sheet feed and delivery press is that it enables the printing ofa part oi the pages of an issue while waiting for delayed copy. Thoseskilled in the art will understand that when printing with a two sheeticed and delivery press all of the copy must be on hand before the twoplates for printing during one press cycle .on the opposite sides of twodifferent sheets can be mounted on the printing cylinder. A single sheetieed and delivery press allows the latitude of printing one side oi thesheet for the entire issue before the plate fortheothersideneedstobeflnallymadeup. This has proved of great value tothe publisher.

Accordingly a single sheet iced and delivery rotary press was developedhaving two delivery pockets and using the Upham tail-gripp rs but havingadditional controls that provide for delivering the printed sheetsoontinuomiy into one oi the two pockets and then continuously into theother pocket as contrasted to the Upham simultaneous delivery oi twosheets, one to each pocket. Such a delivery permits the removal oi onepile while the other is being formed. It the feedingtimetoonepocketisiimitedtotheelapsedtims for removing a pile from theother pocket then the printing press may be run continuously at thedesired high speed, for example 8.000 sheets per hour. But even usingthis novel improvement the output is limited to a size of sheetthat=will settle during the very briei interval between sheet deliveriesallowed by such high speed for settling and drying.

To provide for handling the larger sized sheets in a single sheet feedand delivery rotary press having two delivery pockets an additionalcontrol has been invented that permits a sklp-pocke delivery, that is,the sheets forming the advancing stream on the delivery chain areautomatically delivered alternately to the two pockets. A skippocketdelivery doubles the sheet settling time thus preserving press operationat the desired high speed even when printing on the modern oversisedsheets.

It will be understood irom the foregoing that the main object of thisinvention is to provide settling and drying time for the larger sizedsheets printed in a single sheet feed and delivery press when runnlng athigh speeds and while maintaining continuous, uninterrupted deliverythroughout the run for the particular lob on the press. According tothis invention the sheet delivery mechanism is provided with certaincontrols such that sheets delivered from a single sheet feed anddelivery press may be piled successively in a selected one of twopockets or, by means of a skip-pocket delivery, every other sheet of theadvancing stream may be delivered to a diiierent pocket whereby the twopockets are filled concurrently. In the former case the piles are quitelow when removed from the elevator. In practice a inch pile may bedeposited on the elevator within the average time taken by thehandlertoremoveapileirompockettotruck. 66

In the latter case, when both pockets are iilled concurrently, piles ofgreatiyincreased depth may be built on the elevators before beingremoved by the handler without stopping the operation of the press aswas necessary in removing large piles from the elevators when using asheet delivery mechanism such as disckised in said patent to Upham. Itis not essential that each kind of delivery has its own separate trainof mechanism because the design of the controls is such that one kind ofdelivery may be transformed into the other at the will of the operator.

To the accomplishment of this object and such others as may hereinafterappear, as will readily be understood by those skilled in the part, theinvention comprises the features and combinations of parts and themethod of delivery and handling printed sheets hereinafter described andthen particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The nature and scope of the invention will best be understood from adescription of the preferred embodiment thereof illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a view. in left-hand side'elevation, of a delivery chainfrom a single sheet feed and delivery rotary press, the two pockets towhich the chain delivers sheets and the control mechanism assemblymounted on the frame for said pockets. In this view only the maincylinders of the press are indicated diagrammatically together with theforward end of the co-operating paper feeder;

Figs. 1a and 1b illustrate, respectively, the relative-positions of theadvancing sheet to the tailgrippers, in Fig. la when seized by saidgrippers for delivery to the first pocket, and in Fig. 12: when skippedat the first pocket to be later seized by the tail-grippers at thesecond pocket for delivery thereto.

Fig. 2 is a view, in plan, of the two pocket frame within which thesheet delivery chain travels;

Fig. 3 is a view, in side elevation, of the mechanism under control ofthe operator for delivering the sheets continuously to one pocket orcontinuously to the other, and of a part of the mechanism which, whenset by the operator, delivers the sheets alternately to the two pockets;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the tail-gripper operating and controlmechanisms shown in Fig. 3 comprising an enlargement of the lower lefthand corner of Fig. 2 except that certain overhanging parts are brokenaway to expose the underlying constructions;

Fig. 5 is a view, in perspective, of the head-line gripper theirmounting and their opening mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a view, in perspective. of the sheet delivery controh at thefirst pocket with the control for producing an alternating orskip-pocket delivery of the sheets, locked out of action. In thisposition of the controls all of the sheets are passing the first pocketfor delivery to the second pocket.

Fig. '7 is a view, in plan, the frame being in section, of a portion ofthe mechanism shown in Fig.

Fig. 8 shows a detail, in transverse section, taken at the line 8-8 ofFig. 7;

Fig. 9 shows a detail, in side elevation, taken at the line 0-8 of Fig.7. In this view the cover plate of the sliding cage whose verticalposition determines whether the skip-pocket delivery is in effect, isremoved, its connecting bolts being shown in section;

Fig. 10 is a view. in side elevation, of the two sheet delivery controlsat the first pocket with the mechanism for producing an alternating orskip-pocket delivery operative:

Fig. 11 is a view, in side elevation, of a portion of the mechanism foropening and closing the tail-slipp s for drawing a sheet from thedelivery chain, a gripper being shown about to close on the tail edge ofa passing sheet;

Fig. 12 is a view, in elevation, of a portion of the mechanism foropening and closing the said tail-gripp rs. a gripper being shown closedon the tall edge of a sheet;

Fig. 13 ts a view, in perspective, of a tail-gripper and its mounting;

Fig. 14 is a view, in perspective, of one of the head-line gripperscarried by the sheet delivery chain, the lower movable jaw being shownopened sufilciently to drop the sheet, as when a sheet is to be passedout of the delivery, frame for in'-- spection by the operator;

Fig. 15 is a view, in vertical section, through the rocker cage thatforms a part of the automatic skip-pocket delivery mechanism;

Fig. 16 is a view, in section, through the stud on which the pocketselector control lever is mounted:

Fig. 1'! is a view, in section, through the stud on which theskip-pocket control lever is mounted; and

Fig. 18 is a view, in elevation, of the stud on which the automaticoperating mechanism for the skip-pocket delivery is mounted showing alsothe driving train therefor in full lines and the driving shaft for saidtrain in section.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings a singlesheet feed and delivery rotary press has been shown diagrammatically inassociation with a detailed disclosure of the novel controls of thisinvention applied to a two pocket sheet delivery mechanism.

Referring to Fig. l, and assuming the front of the apparatus to be atthe right, the forward portion of a suitable paper feeder is indicatedby 2 from which a sheet is taken by the usual headline grippers on thefeeder cylinder I and transferred to the impression cylinder 6 whichrotates in printing relation to the plate cylinder 8 carrying a singleprinting plate of less length than the circumference of the cylinder.The printed sheets are successively transferred from the impressioncylinder to suitably spaced head-line grippers carried by the endlessdelivery chain Ill the rear loop of which runs about the deliverycylinder i2 having the usual head-line grippers and located beneath theimpression cylinder. The forward loop of the delivery chain runs aboutsprocket rolls ll mounted at each side in the upper forward end (seeFig. 2) of a sheet delivery frame IB. The frame It provides a firstdelivery pocket i8 and second delivery pocket 20 within which pocketsare elevators i8 and 2| respectively. each associated with a suitablemechanism (not shown) for lowering the elevator in time relation to thesheet delivery and then raising it after the handler has removed a pile.

The lower run of the delivery chain It travels forward in a horizontalplane between the delivery cylinder and the delivery frame, thenceupward under sprocket rolls 9 on the frame it and again turns forwardover sprocket rolls ll providing a horizontal lower course 22 betweensaid rolls ii and the rolls i4 and above the pockets Ill and 20. Turningupward about the sprocket rolls H the delivery chain returns above thelower course 22 to sprocket rolls I! (Fig. 2) at upper rear end of thesheet delivery frame, thence downward under idler rolls II and take-uprolls l1 and thence about the delivery cylinder if. The aw and usualgearing is present for driving the delivery chain and for rotating thevarious cylinders of the press in their proper-directions all formingtrains from the drivim shaft 23 which may be driven from any convenientsource of power, as a motor 24 (Fig. l). The mechanisms just describedall may be, and preferably are, substantially the same as usual practicein delivering sheets with head-line grippers from a single sheet feedand delivery press to a single pocket or from a two sheet feed anddelivery press simultaneously to two pockets.

In accordance with the present invention control mechanism for thedelivery of the printed sheets is provided that permits (1) a continuousdelivery of sheets from a single feed and sheet delivery press with adeposit of the advancing sheets all in one or all in the other of thetwo pockets. at the will of the operator, or (2) a delivery of sheetsfrom a single sheet feed and delivery press with a deposit in one pocketof every other sheet of the advancing stream of sheets and a deposit inthe other pocket of the sheets that have been skipped, that is, anautomatic delivery of the continuously advancing stream of spaced sheetsalternately to the two pockets. The controls for these two forms ofsheet delivery, (1) selective pocket or (2) skippocket, for brevity,will be described herein in that order after first describing thedelivery chain and its associated sheet gripping and deliveringmechanisms.

Those skilled in the art will understand that the head-line gripper typeof delivery chain is used because so many bleed" pages are printed atpresent for both illustration and advertising. A multipage printed sheetbearing a number of bleed pages eliminates the continuous unprintedgutters between pages and makes impossible the use of tapes forfrictlonally holding the printed sheet on the delivery chain. Obviouslysuch tapes would smear the ink at the extreme margin of each bleed page.Accordingly, as has heretofore been the practice, the two spacedsprocket chains 26 and 28 (Fig. 2) constituting the delivery chain inare connected by transverse rods 30 spaced at suitable intervals for thelargest size of sheet to be printed and having reduced ends inserted inbearing trucks 32 (Figs. 2 and 5) each secured by an outer face plate tothe delivery chain links and having rolls ii for rolling on a pair oftracks 33. Collars 34 provided with downwardly facing gripper pads 35are spaced at intervals on the rod 30. A rockshaft 38, parallel to therod 30, is journaled in the trucks 32 and carries spaced gripper jawcollars 38. A pivoted gripper jaw Ill (Fig. 3) depends from each collar38 in position below a gripper pad and is individually engaged therewithby pressure from a coiled compensating spring l'l (Fig. 5) there being astop for each gripper law to limit its opening movement when all aresimultaneously withdrawn from the pads to release their grip on thesheet. To accomplish a release of the sheet a depending crank arm 42,secured to the rock shaft 36, carries a roll 43 adapted to ride over theriser of a release cam 44 (Figs. 3 and 5) mounted on a short bracket 45secured at the inner side of one of the two tracks 33 upon which thebearing trucks 32 roll. There are two release cams, one near the forwardedge of each pocket. The cam roller crank arm n is yieldinsly presseddownward and is held by a tail-stop in position permitting its roll llto ride lightly over the cam 4. This is accomplished by suspending therock-shaft as within two clock-spring one at each end of the shaft (seeFig. 2). Each clock-spring ll has the end of its inner coil flanged andset into a slot in the circumferential face of a tension collar I faston the rock-shaft, and has its outer coil reversely curved and passedover the rod 30 (Fig. 5). Accordingly any lifting of the crank arm 42will wind up the clock-springs increasing the tension for holding theroll 43 down on the cam M, while riding threover. Consequently as thecam lifts the crank arm the shaft 36 is rocked in a direction to depressthe gripper Jaws ll) or withdraw them from against the overlying gripperpads 35. When the shaft 38 is rocked as described all of the gripperjaws 40 are withdrawn from their pads 35, but at the first pocket veryslightly, only enough to loosen the grip on the sheet and permit it tobe frictionally withdrawn, without damage, by tail-grippers which aretimed to seize the sheet at this critical moment. It will be understoodthat the clock-springs l6 serve to apply a like pressure upon all of thegripper jaws, the jaw springs 4| serving to compensate for inequalities;and that the truck rolls 3! rotate on the ends of the gripper pad rod 30and gripper jaw shaft 36. The gripper opening cam, like the cam 44, atthe second pocket may be designed to open the grippers wide to permitdelivery of a sheet from the machine when an inspection is desired. Arelease cam, as is common practice, located at the delivery cylinder endof the delivery chain lifts the crank arm 42 to an extent to open thegrippers for accurate transfer oi' the printed sheet from the usualgrippers that retain it upon the impression cylinder 8.

Co-cperating with the head-line grippers are tail-grippers (Figs. 11 to13) timed, when the head-line grippers release the sheet, to seize itstail edge and stop its advance due to the fact that the tail-grippersare in a fixed position. Thus the sheet is pulled out of the loosenedheadline grippers as the latter continue to advance with the deliverychain.

It will be observed (Fig. 1) that after the delivery chain has obtainedcontrol of a sheet said sheet extends rearward from the head-linegrippers and, during the first part of its travel forward from thedelivery cylinder, is supported on tapes l9 just below the deliverychain. After making the turn the sheet is supported by one of a seriesof string platforms 5| (Fig. 2) which constitute a string chain ill ofknown type. The string chain comprises two sprocket chains 52 and 54which traverse a generally rectangular path within the delivery framelli being guided by corner sprockets 55 and a take-up roll 56. The upperrun of the string chain is slightly below and parallel to the lowercourse 22 of the delivery chain (Fig. 1). Power for advancing the stringchain in time relation to the advance of the delivery chain is obtainedfrom the rear delivery chain sprocket shaft 58. This shaft is extendedoutside the delivery frame and carries a gear 80 which, through anintermediate gear BI, drives an equal gear 62 in the same direction ofrotation. The gear 62 is carried by the rear string chain sprocket shaft54. Thus the delivery chain and the underlying sfiring chain bothadvance at the same rate of speed.

The arrows on Fig. 1 indicate the direction of travel of the mechanismsand it will be understood that as the head-line grippers holding a sheetpass on to the lower course 22 of the delivery chain they are met by theforward end of a string platform the relation being such that the headline of the sheet lies just inside of the first string and its tail edgelaps somewhat beyond the last string of a string platform (see Figs. 2and 4). The length of each string platform is that of the maximum lengthof sheet to be printed. For handling a sheet shorter than the maximumthe string chain may be disconnected and inched forward until the talledge of such shorter sheet laps the last string. This may beaccomplished by removing the driving gear 6. on the shaft 58 which freesthe string chain from the delivery chain It. The string chain can thenbe advanced by inching over the way shaft H with a hand crank untilthelast string of each platform Si is the correct distance from theassociated head-line grippers to accommodate the shorter sheet. In thisway the timing of the rise and closing of the tail-edge grippers justafter the last string of a platform passes the tall-edge gripperstations (see Fig. 1a) is preserved. The delivery 'chain cannot beshifted because its gripp rs are in time with the delivery cylinder ofthe press but the head-line gripper operating cams 44 are each movedrearward in their dove-tail slots, by which means they are slidablymounted in their brackets 45 (see Fig. 5), to a position for momentarilylifting the crank arm 42 at the proper time according to the shortersheet length and to the closing of the tail-grippers on its rear edge.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, power for operating the tail-grippers isderived from the string chain driving-shaft 64. A bevel gear III, fastto the shaft 64 outside the gear 62, meshes with a bevel gear 12 fast tothe rear end of a way shaft II the rotation of which operates suitablemechanism designed to open and close the tailgrippers in time relationto the passage thereover of a sheet lying on the string chain. Two setsof tail-grippers (indicated generally by 15, Fig. 2), are employed, oneset for each sheet receiving pocket. Accordingly each pocket has a likeassociated tail-gripper operating mechanism connected to the way shaft H(see Figs. 1 and 2), but it will be sufllcient to describe in detailonly the mechanism at the first pocket which includes an additionalselective control for effecting a skip-pocket delivery of the sheets atthe will of the operator.

liteferr'ing now to Fig. 13 the set of tail-grippers are carried by twofloating shafts, a tubular gripper-pad shaft 16 and a gripper rock-shaftIt. The gripper-pad shaft is supported by clamping its ends within rearend sleeves 11 of the horizontal arms 80 of two bell-cranks each pivotedon a pin 82 projecting inward from the wall of the delivery frame(dotted circle Fig. 3). The rook-shaft Iii may turn within hearings onthe arms ill just forward of the sleeves I1. Each horizontal arm of thebell-cranks lies oblique to the axes of the supported shafts 1B, and 18to permit engagement of a cam roll 84, at the upper end of each verticalarm 86, each with a path cam at the inner face of a cam disk 38 outsidethe chains and set in a recess of the delivery frame (see Fig. 4). Thetwo cam disks 38 are mounted on a cam shaft extending across thedelivery frame and journaled in hearings in the frame adjacent the upperedges of said cam of the delivery frame.

Each tauripper comprises a gri pe bracket 92 (Fig. 13) through which theshafts II and II extend, the bracketbelng fast on the shaft II and looseon the shaft 18 so that the latter may be rocked within said bracket.The bracket has a pad support 93 at its forward end carrying agripper-pad Bi on its upper face. A collar II is fast on the rock-shaftll adjacent the bracket ll. This collar has curled under it and securedthereto the curved tail of a spring gripper 36 so shaped that agripper-pad 91 on its head will overlie the gripper-pad 94 when thespring gripper 38 closes down.

A tumbler ll having gear teeth 98 at its closed end is fast at one endof the rock-shaft I8. Coacting with this tumbler at a predetermined timein the cycle of operations is a rotatable tumbler pin lflll, carried atthe inner face of a tumbler disk I" (Figs. 3 and 4), on a shaft I03journaled in a bracket at the upper edge of said frame recase. A rockeriM (Figs. 3 and 12) is pivoted to the frame at I" and carries a cam rollI" on its horizontal arm engaging with a path cam at the outer face of agripper-opening cam disk llil fast on the cam shaft 30. The lower end ofthe depending arm of the rocker I is provided with a rack H0 which, at apredetermined time, moves inward to be engaged by the gear teeth 99 asthe tumbler 9| rises. This, as will be described, opens all of thetail-grippers for depositing a sheet on the pile and preparatory toseizing and delivering another printed sheet.

The operation and timing of the tail-grippers in seizing a sheet anddepositing it on the pile in a pocket will be explained beforedescribing the operating mechanism and the controls combined therewith.

At the beginning of the cycle of operations now to be described thetravelling head-line grippers carrying a series of spaced sheetsdelivered from the press, have passed and are somewhat in advance of thefixed position of the tail-edge grippers. The delivery chain will beadvanced during each cycle a distance equal to the length of a sheetplus the length of a gap in the string chain. When printing a 60 inchlong sheet inches of travel constitutes one cycle. About V of the cycletime is consumed in raising the tailgrippers from their lowered sheetreleasing position within a pocket (see dotted lines in Fig. 3) to theirraised, sheet seizing position just below the string chain (see Fig. 11)and the remaining of the cycle time is consumed in closing and loweringthe tail-grippers thus withdrawing the sheet from the string chainthrough a gap, carrying it down and depositing it on the pile in apocket. Therefore, when printing and delivering 60 inch long sheets thehead-line grippers have, at the beginning of a cycle, lapped the sheetover the tail-edge grippers about 36 inches leaving about 24 inches, orV of the 95 inches of cycle travel, to be advanced by the head-linegrippers during the time the tail-grippers are rising to sheet seizingposition. At the beginning of the cycle the gripper operating cam roll84 is at the low point on its cam, the bell-crank thus holding thetail-gripper supporting shafts I6 and 18 well below the plane of thestring chain (see dotted lines in Fig. 3). The tail-grippers are closed,a sheet having just been pulled off of the string chain and drawn downinto the pocket with which said tail-grippers are associated. At thismoment the gripper-opening cam turns the rocker "M in a direction tomove its rack I over into engagement with the gearteethonthetumblertlwhichservmasthegrippersmoveupwardtorotatetherockshaft Itinadirectiontoturnthe tumblerlltoan upright position andto lift the spring gripper II from the flxedpad 94 (Hg. 11). The rack III then withdraws from the path of thetumbler and is held withdrawn for the remainder of the cycle. A commontype of automatic snap switch, employed to hold the grippers opened, isindicated in Figs. 11 and 12 by the caged spring II2 coiled about a rodIll having its inner end pivoted on a ing IIB of a collar fast to therockshaft II beside the lifting lever arm 80, and having its outer endslidable through an inner boss on said arm Ill. After the rack Ill hasdrawn the spring lug across dead center the spring then expands and, byits leverage on the collar, completes the throw of the spring gripperlit to its fully opened position and holds it there (see Fig. 11).

At the end of this movement the gripper pad 84 has been lifted to aplane just below that of the advancing string platform carrying a sheetand the tumbler 88 upright beside the tumbler disk with its mouth in thepath of the descending tumbler-pin I00. The tumbler pin now enters thethroat of the tumbler and rocks it and the rockshaft III in a directionfor closing the spring grippers 96 on their gripper-pads M. The timingis such that the snap switch rod is moved downward past center justafter the last string has passed the grippers bringing the unsupportedtail edge of the sheet above the gripper-pads 94. The quick expansion ofthe coil spring I I2 which now occurs throws the spring grippers down onthe pads firmly gripping the tail edge of the sheet.

As already described. at this moment the track cam 44 lifts the crankarm l2 associated with the head-line grippers which (at the firstpocket) lowers these grippers 48 just enough to relieve their pressureon the sheet which they hold as illustrated by Fig. in. This leaves thesheet under the sole control of the tail-grippers which begin to descendas the gripper operating cam moves its cam roll I inward on the cam diskIt, slipping the sheet from the loosened head-line grippers, dragging itdownward through a gap in the string chain and finally depositing it onthe pile in the pocket. 'Ihe continued rotation of the gripper operatingcam upon entering on the next cycle then opens the grippers and releasesthe sheet as above described. Stop pins H8 and H8 (Figs. 11 and 12)carried by the hub of the gripper supporting bell-crank lever retain thetumbler 98 under pressure of the snap switch" spring H2 in its up anddown positions for exact entry and exit of the tumbler pin IIIIl.

Upon the deposit of a sheet on the pile in the pocket its head line isjogged into position, while escape of entrapped air proceeds, againstthe usual adjustable headers by the usual side and end Joggers whichwill be recognized on Fig. 2. The jogger operating mechanisms are notillustrated since they may be, and preferably are, the same as now incommon use.

Power for rotating the various cams is derived from the way shaft 14which (see Figs. 1 and 2) serves both pockets. Describing the duplicatemechanism at only the first pocket as heretofore, the delivery frame itis rabbeted' at its outer face to receive a slide 120 retained by anupper flanged guide gib.l2l (Fig. 8) and by three bolts I22 passing intothe frame through elongated slots in the slide. Thus the slide may beshifted past said bolts within its way longitudinally beheath thetail-gripper on for a skippocket delivery, may be reciprocated therein.The time in the cycle at which the tail-grippers are brought to aposition to close on the sheet is determined by the position of thisslide in its way, that is. when in its forward position thetail-grippers are operative but when in its rearward position theyarrive at the string chain just after the sheet has passed, too late togrip its tail edge. Since the position of the slide which is asoclatedwith the first pocket determines to which pocket the sheet shall bedelivered it may be termed the pocket selector slide. when this slide,associated with the second pocket. is shifted to its rearward positionthen the ungripped sheet is passed by the string chain out of thedelivery frame. This latter control .is used when it is desired toinspect the quality of the printing, therefore the slide associated withthe second pocket may be termed the inspection slide.

The pocket selector slide I2II carries a lateral bracket I24 terminatingin a sleeve slidable on the way shaft. A bevel gear I28 is keyed to theway shaft at the rear end of the sleeve and meshes with a bevel gear I28rotatable on a stud IlIl bolted to the slide I20, there being a recessI21 in the frame (dotted lines Figs. 7 and 8) within which the bolt headmay travel as the slide is shifted from one position to another. Thebevel gear I28 drives a small gear I22, just behind it (Fig. 7) whichmeshes with an intermediate gear I" (Fig. 3) fast on the tumbler diskshaft IIII. A side bracket I38 projecting from the rear end of thedelivery frame provides an end bearing for the shaft I08. Behind thegear Ill on the shaft III! is a smaller gear I38 (dotted lines on Fig.8) which drives the large gear I40 on the tail-gripper cam shaft 00.Thus both cam'disks 88 together with the cam disk Ill! and the tumblerpin disk III2 are driven through the described trains from the way shaftll.

The control for delaying the closing of the tailgrippers and itsoperation will now be described. This control is connected to the pocketselector slide I20 and, when operated to shift the position of thisslide, determines whether the sheets are all to be delivered to thefirst pocket or are to pass the first pocket and are all to be deliveredto the second pocket. It will be termed the "selective pocket delivery".A like control is found connected to the inspection slide at the secondpocket but in that relation it serves merely to free the sheet fromengagement by the tail-grippers so that when the head-line grippers openits forward edge will fall upon the string chain which then shoots itout at the open end of the delivery frame into the hands of the operatorfor inspection.

The selective pocket delivery is so intimately combined with the controlmechanism for delivering sheets to the two pockets alternately, i. e.,the skip-pocket delivery. that it will be necessary to include someparts of the latter mechanism in the description of the formermechanism.

Fig. 3 illustrates the two control mechanisms set for delivering sheetscontinuously to the second pocket, that is, with the selector-lever I"thrown to the right which, as will be explained, holds the pocketselector slide I2Il in its rearward position; and with the skip-lever[l2 thrown to the left which, as will be explained, decommissions thecontinuously active automatic mechanism governing the skip-pocketdelivery. The slide I2l has a central lug III (Fig. 9) at its rear endbored to receive a pivot stud III for connecting a rocker cage I"thereto. This cage consists of two vertical, spaced track bars. I61 andI66 (Fig. 9) secured across the channeled inner face of a cover plateI66 (Fig. 15). The stud I66 has an inner head seated in a recess at theinner iace oi the slide lug I66 and a two-side slabbed shank I66 whichforms a guide on which the cage I66 may be moved up and down relativelyto said stud. The unslabbed portion beyond the slabbed area of the studI66 forms a head for holding the cage to the slide I26. After the studI66 has been passed through the slidelug I66 the cage I66 may be builtabout its shank, the fit being such that the cage readily slides andswings on the stud. Before applying the cover plate I66 an adjustingstud I62 is seated in a bore through the upper portion of the plate andheld in ilxed position by a head having a steady pin, screwed to theinner end of the stud. The stud I62 carries a block I64 having athreaded horizontal bore, at the outer face of the cover plate and alsoprovides a pin I66 projecting from said block. The function of the pinI66 will be described later because it, as well as the cage, are a partor the skip-pocket delivery driving train.

The mechanism for shifting the slide I26 forward or backward tocommission or decommission the tail-grippers and thus cause the sheetdeliveries to be changed from one pocket to the other will now bedescribed. A rotatable eccentric hub I16 on the selector-lever I66 (Fig.16), is supported on a reduced outer portion of a stud I12 projectingfrom the frame I6. A sleeve I16 (see also Fig. 6) in the nature of aneccentric strap surrounds the eccentric hub. The sleeve I16 has ahorizontal tube I66 at its lower side. An adjustable connecting rod I66(Fig. 6) has a threaded rear end, a removable head I61 forming acircular shoulder at its forward end and a fixed intermediate slipcollar I66 radially drilled for taking the end of an adjusting pin.These parts are assembled by passing the forward end of the rod I66through the tube I66 until its collar I66 abuts the rear end thereof.The head I61 is then pinned to the projecting forward end of the rod toclamp the tube (i. e., eccentric strap I16) between said head and thecollar I66. The threaded rear end of the rod I66 is screwed into theblock I66 at the outer face of the cage I66, and the proper relation ofthe slide I26 to the throw of the eccentric I16 is determined byslipping the rod I66 through the block I64 by means of the collar I66.As stated the lever I66 is rotatably mounted on the stud I12 and is heldthereon by a nut. Back of the lever hub the stud carries a fixed,two-shouldered stop collar I16 as is common practice, and the eccentrichas a projecting pin which engages one or the other of these shouldersto limit the movement of the selector lever as it is swung in onedirection or the other. The two stop shoulders are substantiallyhorizontal in this setting.

when the cage I66 is dropped as in Figs. 3 and 6 (compare with itsposition in Fig. 16) its stud I62 is in axial alignment or centered withthe pocket selector slide stud I66 (see Fig. 15) so that either a thrustor pull on the rod I66 will move the slide in its ways without binding.When the lever I66 is thrown to the left as in Fig. 16 its eccentric hubwill cause the sleeve I16 to shift to the right on the stud I12. Thisexerts a pull on the connecting rod I66 which draws the pocket selectorslide to its forward position. In this position of the slide thetail-gripper operating train is so timed as to cause said grippers toseize and deliver each sheet advanced by the delivery chain. when thelever I66 is thrown to the right, as in Figs. 3 and 6, its eccentric hubis turned 186 from its position in Fig. 16 exerting a thrust on theconnecting rod I66 which moves the pocket selector slide rearward. Theslide carries back with it its gear I62 (Fig. 7) and the two bevel gearsI26 and I26 the latter sliding on the way shaft 14. The tumbler disk andthe gripper operating cam driving gears I66 and I66 (see Fig. 3) arethus turned backward a distance. in practice, equal to one tooth. Thisis transmitted to the cam disks 66 and I66 and to the tumbler disk I62and serves to retard theaction of the tail-gripper operating traincausing these grippers to close too late to seize a sheet (see Fig. 1b)If the selector lever is thrown to the right while the press is idle theslide gear I62 acts as a rack to turn the gears I66 and I66 backward; ifso thrown while the press is running the backward movement of therotating gear I62 on the pocket selector slide while enmeshed with therotating gear I66 causes the gear train to lose time.

Proceeding now to a description of the skippocket delivery control, thisalso operates by a pull or thrust on the pocket selector slide I26through the intermediate cage I66. Its operation is automatic,alternately moving the slide I26 forward and backward at eachtail-gripper cycle with the result that each alternate sheet on thedelivery chain is missed by the tail-gripgers at the first pocket, andpassing said first pocket is seized by the tail-grippers at the secondpocket and delivered to said second pocket.

The skip-pocket delivery mechanism is continuously operating while thepress is running. but idly so long as the skip-lever I62 is thrown tothe left as in Figs. 3 and 6. This control lever is loose on the outerend of a stud I66 (Fig. 17), its hub I62 being held thrown by a flushcap-screw I6I. Back of the hub I62 the stud carries a fixed,two-shouldered stop collar I66,.

like the stop collar I16 on the stud I12. The hub has a projecting pinfor engaging one or the other of these shoulders. both of which aresubstantially vertical in this setting. to limit the movement of theskip-lever as it is swung from side to side. The skip-lever hub ispear-shaped having a wrist-pin I66 at the pointed end. A link I66connects the wrist-pin I66 with the pin I66 (Fig. 15) at the outer faceof the block I66 on the rocker cage I66. This mechanism provides forshifting the position of the rocker cage relatively to the pocketselector slide I26. When the skip-lever is turned to the right (Fig. 10)its wrist-pin rotates 180 and, through the link I66, slides the rockercage I66 upward on its stud I66 until a lug I66 on the forward side ofits track bar I56 (Figs. 3 and 9) is brought into the horizontal planeof said stud I66 or centered with the end of the pocket selector slideI26 (Fig. 10). This upward movement of the rocker cage rotates theselector lever sleeve I16 slightly by reason oi its connection to thecage by the rod I66.

Proceeding with a description of the automatic skip-pocket delivery thecage lug I66 is connected to the eccentric strap I62 of an eccentric I66(Fig. 16) running constantly at 54; of a revolution to one cycle. Thedriving connection between the cage I66 and the eccentric I64 isadjustable. A short stud I66 is screwed at one end into a socket on theeccentric strap I62 and has its other end screwed into the forward endof a turn-buckle I66. A. rod 266 is pivoted at its rear end on the cagelug I and has its other end screwed into the rear end of theturn-buckle. A turn-buckle lock nut is indicated by I00. The rotation ofthe eccentric I94 produces an alternate pull and push on the cage I 56which, due to the above described position of the cage lug I00 when theskip-lever I52 is turned to the right, is transmitted to the pocketselector slide I20. The effect is to decommission the tail-grippers atthe first pocket at each alternate cycle, so that every other sheet onthe delivery chain passes on to the second pocket where thetail-grippers associated therewith remain operative at each cycle. Whenthe skip-lever I52 is thrown to the left, lowering the rocker cage I50and leaving the pocket selector slide under control of the operatorthrough the selector lever I50, the effect of the continuouslyreciprocating turn buckle connection is merely to rock said cage idly onthe stud I54 (Fig. 3) without any effect on the slide. It will also beobserved (see Fig. 10) that when the automatic skip-pocket delivery isoperative the cage I58 and link I00 serve as a toggle to relieve thethrust and pull on the fixed connecting rod I56.

Power for rotating the eccentric I04 is taken from the elevatoroperating shaft.202 (Figs. 1 and 10). A worm 204 on the way shaft 14meshes with an underlying worm gear 206 at the outer end of the elevatorshaft and drives this shaft in time with the cycle of operations. Alarge spur gear 200 (Fig. 18), fast on the elevator shaft at a pointbetween the way shaft and the delivery frame, meshes with a small spurgear 2I0 above it formed integral with a sleeve 2I2 rotatable on aheaded stud 2H projecting from the delivery frame. The eccentric I04,which is integral with and forms the outer end of the sleeve 2 I2, is solocated that the connected turn-buckle lies inside of the plane of thetwo track bars at the back of the rocker cage I50 (see Fig. 6).

A safety device, shown in Figs. 3, 6 and 10, prevents the operator fromplacing the automatic skip-pocket delivery in operation whenever sheetsare being delivered solely to the second pocket. It will be rememberedthat by turning the selector lever I50 to the right the pocket selectorslide I20 is pushed backward thus delaying the action of thetail-grippers at the first pocket and causing them to miss seizing thetail-edge of the; passing sheet which is then advanced by the head-linegrippers to the second pocket for seizure by the tail-grippersassociated with that pocket. The safety device comprises a latch bar2IIi which is thrown under a shelf 2I1 on the hub of the skip-lever I52by the rotation of the selector lever I50. The latch bar is pivoted byits lower end on a. stud 2I8 fast in a boss on the delivery frame and isconnected by a link 220 to an ear 222 on the eccentric strap sleeve I10.The rearward movement of the sleeve I10, due to rotation of theeccentric I16 in a direction to shift said strap to the left (Fig. 3) asthe selector lever is turned to the right, throws the latch-bar 2 I5rearward under the shelf 2I1 thus preventing rotation of the skip-lever.Conversely, a rotation of the selector lever to the left shifts theeccentric strap I to the right (Fig. 10) which pulls the latch-barforward sumciently to permit the shelf 2" to clear it on rotation of theskip-lever to the right. Consequently, operation of the automaticskip-pocket delivery can be initiated only when the rocker cage I55 isin a position to make such a delivery effective.

The tail-gripper control mechanism at the second pocket. is illustratedin Figs. 1 and 2 to an extent sufficient to recognize that it is aduplicate of that at the first pocket except for the absence of theautomatic skip-pocket delivery mechanism. The way shaft 14 extendsbeyond the rear edge of the second pocket and its forward end has abearing in a bracket I24 extending laterally from the inspection slideI20 which is moved in its ways by rotating 9, control lever I50 havingits connecting rod I00 connected, in this instance, directly to the endlug of the slide instead of indirectly through a rocker cage as at thefirst pocket. The same gear train as at.the first pocket drives theshaft 90 carrying the two tail-gripper operating cam disks B0 and therack operating cam disk I00, and also rotates the tumbler pin disk I02.The

same obliquely arranged cam levers as at the first pocket are shown intwin delivery frame recesses. In Figs. 1 and 2 the inspection controllever I50 is shown as thrown to the left, in which position, as at thefirst pocket, the inspection slide is in its forward position with thetail-grippers operative to seize and deliver any sheets which thehead-line grippers carry over to the second pocket. When both controllevers I50 and I50 are turned to the right then both sets oftail-grippers miss the advancing sheet (Fig. lb) and, after release fromthe head-line grippers, such a sheet is shot out from between thedelivery and string chains at the forward end of the apparatus forinspection of the quality of the printing.

The press may be fed by either a pile or a continuous paper feeder. Whenfed by a pile paper feeder the ordinary charge will be 4 tons of paperwhich, with the skip-pocket sheet delivery continuously in operation,will produce a pile of printed sheets on each elevator about inchesdeep. The time required for reloading the paper feeder gives ample timefor clearing both elevators and re-setting them for the next run of thepress. When fed by a continuous paper feeder the handler may first loada single elevator with a short pile of sheets, say 5 to 10 inches deep,and then throw in the skip-pocket delivery for the remainder of the runor, if the run is started with the skip-pocket delivery a short pile onone of the elevators, built up after a run of 5 or 6 minutes, may firstbe removed by the handler. In this operation of the press the elevatorsare cleared alternately at intervals as each elevator receives a 20 inchpile.

While the skip-pocket sheet delivery has been developed moreparticularly for the advantage of publishers having single sheet feedand delivery presses, it is within the scope of the inventicn to applyit to a two sheet feed and delivery press when such a press is providedwith four pockets instead of the usual two. In such case the first andsecond pockets which simultaneously receive two delivered sheets wouldbe the equivalent of the first pocket of a two pocket single sheet feedand delivery press, and the thirdand fourth pockets would likewise bethe equivalent of the second pocket of a single sheet feed and deliverypress.

It will be understood from the foregoing description that the inventioncombines in a single machine selective control mechanisms through whicheither of two pockets for receiving the delivered sheets may be selectedfor receiving all of the printed sheets or the normal operation of thesheet delivering mechanism may be so changed that both pockets will befilled concurrently, alternate sheet deliveries from the press beingdeposited in different pockets. It is belicved that this combination ofcontrols applied to a duplex pocket sheet delivery mechanism is broadlynew and patentable herein. It is believed also that the automaticskip-pocket control mechanism for delivering sheets, which may by anobvious change be connected directly to the pocket selector slide ratherthan operate through the pocket selector train, is novel in itself.

Nothing herein contained is to be interpreted as limiting the inventionherein described in the scope of its application to use in connectionwith the particular apparatus illustrated as the best embodiment of theinvention at present known. While the mechanisms herein described arewell suited to one mechanical form of the invention it is not limited tothese details of construction, nor to the conjoint use of all of itsfeatures, nor is it to be understood that these details are essentialsince they may be variously modified within the skill of the artisanwithout departing from the true scope of the actual invention,characterizing features of which are set forth in the following claimsby the intentional use of generic terms and expressions inclusive ofvarious modifications.

What is claimed as new. is:

1. A sheet delivery mechanism having two receiving pockets in series, adevice for advancing a stream of sheets in a plane above said pockets, aset of tall-edge grippers at each pocket normally operatingsynchronously to close upon and deposit a sheet in each pocket once eachcycle, mechanism for delaying the closing operation of the tail-edgegrippers at the first pocket with relation to the closing operation ofthe tail-edge grippers at the second pocket, and selective hand controlsfor said mechanism for causing said delayed operation to occur at eachcycle or at every other cycle.

2. A sheet delivery mechanism having two receiving pockets in series, adevice for advancing a stream of sheets in a plane above said pockets,tail-edge grippers at each pocket for seizing and depositing theadvancing sheets in their respective pockets, separate trains of gripperoperating mechanism at each pocket, each having its own adjustabletiming device normally causing said tail-edge grippers to act in timerelation with the arrival of the tail-edges oi the advancing sheets atthe gripper station, and mechanism operated by the machine for re-timingthe action of the tail-edge grippers at the first pocket to cause themto miss every other sheet whereby said missed sheets continue to advancefor seizure and deposit by the tail-edge grippers at the second pocket.

3. A sheet delivery mechanism having two receiving pockets in series, adelivery chain travelling above said pockets and adapted to advancesheets in a continuous stream, tail-edge grippers at each pocket, aseparate tail-edge gripper operating train at each pocket operatingnormally automatically to raise said tail edge grippers in unison, closethem on a sheet as its tail-edge passes the tail-edge gripper station,withdraw said sheet and deposit it in a pocket, and mechanism operatingautomatically through said tailedge gripper operating train at the firstpocket for delaying the closing of the tail-edge grippers at saidpocket, relative to the time of said closing at the second pocket, ateach secondcycle of operations thereof whereby every other sheet passesthe first pocket for withdrawal from the delivery chain and deposit inthe second pocket at the next cycle of operations.

4. A sheet delivery mechanism according to claim 3 in which means isprovided for disconnecting said automatic mechanism for delaying theclosing of the tail-edge grippers at the first pocket at the will of theoperator.

5. A sheet delivery mechanism having two receiving pockets in series, asheet delivery chain moving forward continuously above said pockets, aplurality of sets of head-line grippers carried by said chain thespacing between sets being the same as to the head-line spacing of thesheets forwarded to said chain, a second chain above said pockets butbelow and moving in time relation with the delivery chain comprisingspaced platforms so related to the head-line grippers that each sheetseized and advanced thereby is supported on a platform with itstail-edge lapping the rear edge of the platform, a set of tailedgegrippers at the rear portion end of each pocket, timing means for eachof said sets of talledge grippers to cause them to rise in unison intoposition for simultaneously seizing the lapped tall-edges of the sheetsas said tail-edges simultaneously reach the tail-edge gripper stations,seize said tail-edges and then descend to deposit the seized sheets intheir respective pockets, means for momentarily loosening the clamp ofsaid sets of head-line grippers on the sheet then above the pockets intime relation with the seiztire of their tail-edges to permit withdrawalof said sheets from the delivery chain, and mechanism operatingautomatically at each second cycle of operations through said tail-edgegripper operating means at the first pocket for mistiming the closing ofsaid grippers with relation to the arrival of the tail-edge of a sheetat the tailedge gripper station, permitting the re-clamped head-linegrippers to advance the missed sheet to the second pocket for deposittherein by the tail-edge grippers at that pocket at the next cycle ofoperations.

6. A sheet delivery mechanism according to claim 5 in which said meansfor momentarily loosening the head-line grippers comprises a cam blockfor each pocket set adiustably in the delivery irame in advance of saidtall-edge grippers, and head-line gripper opening means on the advancingdelivery chain associated with each set of head-line grippers to beactuated by each successive engagement with said cam blocks, and meansfor accommodating the effective length of each sheet supporting platformto the length of sheet forwarded to the delivery chain such that thetail-edge of any length will lap the rear edge of the platform.

7. A sheet delivery mechanism for printing presses delivering a singlesheet at each cycle of operations having two receiving pockets inseries, a sheet delivery chain provided with a plurality of sets ofspaced head-line grippers moving forward continuously above said pocketsthe advance at each cycle being equal to the distance between pockethead line positions, means below said delivery chain and advancing atthe same rate of speed for supporting the two sheets extending rearwardfrom the two sets of head-line grippers successively arriving above saidpockets, an independently controlled set of tail-edge grippers at therear portion of' each pocket, means for operating both sets normally torise in unison into a position simultaneously to seize the tall-edges ofsaid two sheets and then to descend to deposit the sheets in said twopockets, means for momentarily relieving the clamping pressure of saidhead-line grippers as the tail-edges of said two sheets simultaneouslyreach the tail-edge gripper stations, and means operated by the machinefor decommissioning said tail-edge grippers at the first pocket everyother cycle, thereby causing a single sheet to be advanced to and toremain above the first pocket at one of each two successive cycles andcausing a sheet to be advanced to each or said pockets and said sheetsto be seized and simultaneously deposited by the normal operation ofboth sets of tail-edge grippers at the other of each two successivecycles, whereby each sheet deposited has the time of two cycles tosettle and dry.

8. A sheet delivery mechanism according to claim '7 having means foradjusting the timing of the operation of the tail-edge grippers withrelation to the passage past them of the head-line grippers for seizingthe tail-edges of and depositing sheets of varying length.

9.'A sheet delivery mechanism having two receiving pockets in series, adevice for advancing a stream of sheets in a spaced series in a planeabove said pockets, the head line spacing of the sheets being equal tothe spacing of the sheet head line positions in the pockets, anindependently controlled set of tail-edge grippers at each pocket, thegrippers of both sets normally closing simultaneously once each cycleupon the arrival of the head line of a sheet above the header of eitherpocket, and mechanism actuated by the operator while the deliverymechanism is in op eration for automatically, on alternate cycles,decommissioning the set of tail-edge grippers at the first pocket andthen permitting their normal operation in unison with the set oftail-edge grippers at the second pocket.

10. A sheet delivery mechanism comprising two receiving pockets inseries, a sheet delivery chain moving continuously above said pocketsand arranged to pass them successively, means on said chain forconnecting the head lines of each sheet to the chain and for passing acontinuous stream of sheets over said pockets with their head linesspaced the same as their pocket head line positions, a set ofindependently controlled tail-edge grippers associated with each pocketfor seizing the tail edge of a sheet on the delivery chain anddepositing said sheet in a pocket, means for simultaneously releasingthe devices ior connecting the sheets to the delivery chain when pairsof said devices simultaneously reach a position above the head linestations of the pockets, said sets of tail-edge grippers normallyclosing simultaneousiy upon the release of said devices, and meansactuated by the operator and thereafter operated by the machine forcausing said tailedge grippers at the first pocket to miss grippingevery second sheet of the advancing stream of sheets whereby alternatesheets thereof are deposited in different pockets.

JAMES A. SINCLAIR.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2,125,) 67

August 2, 193B JAMES A SINCLAIR.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationof the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5first column, line 20, for the words feed and sheet" read sheet feedand; 6, second column, line 1 ,0, for "thrown" read thereon; and thatthe Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that thesaid same

may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this th day of Au ust, A. n. 19 8.

(Seal) Henry Van Arsdal e Acting Commissioner of Patents.

the sheets in said two pockets, means for momentarily relieving theclamping pressure of said head-line grippers as the tail-edges of saidtwo sheets simultaneously reach the tail-edge gripper stations, andmeans operated by the machine for decommissioning said tail-edgegrippers at the first pocket every other cycle, thereby causing a singlesheet to be advanced to and to remain above the first pocket at one ofeach two successive cycles and causing a sheet to be advanced to each orsaid pockets and said sheets to be seized and simultaneously depositedby the normal operation of both sets of tail-edge grippers at the otherof each two successive cycles, whereby each sheet deposited has the timeof two cycles to settle and dry.

8. A sheet delivery mechanism according to claim '7 having means foradjusting the timing of the operation of the tail-edge grippers withrelation to the passage past them of the head-line grippers for seizingthe tail-edges of and depositing sheets of varying length.

9.'A sheet delivery mechanism having two receiving pockets in series, adevice for advancing a stream of sheets in a spaced series in a planeabove said pockets, the head line spacing of the sheets being equal tothe spacing of the sheet head line positions in the pockets, anindependently controlled set of tail-edge grippers at each pocket, thegrippers of both sets normally closing simultaneously once each cycleupon the arrival of the head line of a sheet above the header of eitherpocket, and mechanism actuated by the operator while the deliverymechanism is in op eration for automatically, on alternate cycles,decommissioning the set of tail-edge grippers at the first pocket andthen permitting their normal operation in unison with the set oftail-edge grippers at the second pocket.

10. A sheet delivery mechanism comprising two receiving pockets inseries, a sheet delivery chain moving continuously above said pocketsand arranged to pass them successively, means on said chain forconnecting the head lines of each sheet to the chain and for passing acontinuous stream of sheets over said pockets with their head linesspaced the same as their pocket head line positions, a set ofindependently controlled tail-edge grippers associated with each pocketfor seizing the tail edge of a sheet on the delivery chain anddepositing said sheet in a pocket, means for simultaneously releasingthe devices ior connecting the sheets to the delivery chain when pairsof said devices simultaneously reach a position above the head linestations of the pockets, said sets of tail-edge grippers normallyclosing simultaneousiy upon the release of said devices, and meansactuated by the operator and thereafter operated by the machine forcausing said tailedge grippers at the first pocket to miss grippingevery second sheet of the advancing stream of sheets whereby alternatesheets thereof are deposited in different pockets.

JAMES A. SINCLAIR.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2,125,) 67

August 2, 193B JAMES A SINCLAIR.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationof the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5first column, line 20, for the words feed and sheet" read sheet feedand; 6, second column, line 1 ,0, for "thrown" read thereon; and thatthe Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that thesaid same

may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this th day of Au ust, A. n. 19 8.

(Seal) Henry Van Arsdal e Acting Commissioner of Patents.

